Ride was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1978, the same year she received a doctorate in physics from Stanford University. Five years later, she joined a mission on the shuttle Challenger, becoming the first American woman to fly in space. After a long career with NASA, Ride joined the University of California at San Diego as a professor and the director of the University of California’s Space Institute. But Ride’s most enduring passion involves passing along her love of science to young people – especially young women and girls. She has written six science books for children and founded Sally Ride Science to motivate young women to pursue careers in science, math and technology.